Home improvement in the Western Cape

Winter damp and wind: roofs, walls and openings

Months of steady winter rain find their way through tired roof waterproofing, cracked plaster and failed window seals, and a fresh coat of paint will not stop damp that is coming through the structure. Book waterproofing and damp-proofing during the dry season so the work has time to cure, and compare prices with the waterproofing cost guide.

For wind, ask your roofing contractor how sheets, tiles and ridge caps will be fixed, and make sure a new carport or decking pergola is designed for uplift. Good aluminium windows and doors with sound seals help on both fronts: they keep driving rain out in winter and stop rattling in a summer gale. If you live near the sea, also ask about corrosion protection on gates, fencing and fixings.

Water: gardens and pools after Day Zero

Three dry winters from 2015 to 2017 led to the Day Zero crisis. By May 2018 the dams serving 3.7 million people in the metro had fallen to about 20% of capacity. The dams recovered, but the risk has not gone away. In September 2026 they stood at 75.5%, down from 92.4% a year earlier, and the City's Water Restrictions Committee was assessing whether restrictions were needed.

That makes waterwise choices sensible for any outdoor project:

• Landscaping with hardy, low-water planting and mulch, rather than thirsty lawn. See landscaping costs.
• A pool cover to cut evaporation, and a plan for topping up if restrictions return.
• Permeable paving that lets winter rain soak in rather than run off.

Solar and heritage rules in Cape Town

Every solar PV and battery system on a City of Cape Town electricity supply must be registered and authorised before it is installed, under the Electricity Supply By-law of 2010. Since 1 October 2023 all new applications are treated as grid-tied, and an unregistered system can get your supply disconnected. Make registration part of your solar power contract, and check the solar cost guide for typical pricing.

Older homes carry another layer. Altering any structure older than 60 years needs a section 34 permit from Heritage Western Cape before the City will consider building plans. If your property is in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone, work that changes how the building looks also needs City consent. That can apply to renovations, new windows, roof changes and boundary walls, so check early.

Comparing quotes

Ask each contractor which approvals your job needs and who will handle them, and when they can do weather-sensitive work. Home Improvement Hub has 200+ registered providers nationally; you can request up to three quotes free of charge.